Advertisement
Published: July 28th 2009
Edit Blog Post
Photo 1
Jac on the swing Well we made it to Vang Vieng and this is our last night (3rd) here. We will attempt to give you all a run down of what we have been up to so far...we have had a really good time here.
So we caught the bus from Vientane to VV. It was meant to leave at 10 am but of course things are rather so in Laos (Laos time) and it ended up leaving closer to 11 am. We were running a little late anyway as we had breakfast at a little cafe around the corner and we ordered iced coffees and they took ages to make....
Anyway the bus trip took approx 4 hours but if we didn't stop for a break it would have been closer to 3 hours. We didn't have accommodation booked in VV but having read our guide there are guests houses everywhere. As soon as we arrived in the little town we decided to stay 3 nights. The bus actually dropped us off at a guest house and we conveniently walked 10 paces and booked in. Accommodation is really cheap. For an air conditioned room for the 3 of us it is US
Photo 7
Jac on the tube $15 per night.
We dumped our bags and walked the 4 main streets of the town. VV is nestled in stunning limestone terraine with the Nam Song river running directly through the township. The scenery is spectacular. Having spoken to a couple of travellers we met in Vientiane they all said how nice VV is and we agree. The only downside is that it is overun with 20 year olds (allot from the Uk) who are on summer break. It is a little like spring break. But there is heaps to do in this town. So we found a cute little cafe/bar overlooking the river and had a nice cold Beerlao (the local brew) in hammocks. We got talking to 4 people from Aust who are bicycling around Laos and Vietnam. That had just completed a 4 day ride from Vientiane to VV. We were really impressed that they decided to ride only. They are travelling and riding for 7 months.
So we had an early night to get ready for our next day activities....tubing. Tubing is the reason why there are 20 somethings in this town. Basically you hire a truck car tube from the local renters
Photo 2
Jac just finished swinging into the river (US$7 per day). You are then transported up the river for about 5 kms and dropped off at a launch point on the river and you jump in your tube and the river currents (during the wet season) take you down the river (over rapids) and back to the township of VV. They say during the wet season it takes about an hour if you do not stop at the many bars along on the river bank. Also along the river bank they have all sort of activities. The locals have constructed a swing like concept. Basically you climb up a steep ladder to a platform and you swing down and jump into the river. We all did it. It is really high up and we were all scarred but we did it. Also one of the bars along the river has a makeshift waterslide and a flying fox. It is all rather dangerous especially with the spring breakers drinking alcohol and the boys showing off and doing backflips into the water. Having said this it was a fun day. You end up staying at a few bars along the river watching people jumping into the river. We ended up
Photo 3
Kath about to swing into the river starting at around 12 pm and finishing up at about 4 pm. Everyone has to have the tubes back to the renters by 6 pm otherwise you are heavily charged. We were all quite tired after doing all of this and a quite night at one of the cafes watching reruns of "Friends". Nearly every cafe/bar is playing the show so it is quite nice to have some down time and watch some re-runs.
Today we booked a whole day kayaking / caving tour. The tour started at 9pm and finished up at 5pm. It was so much fun. There was a group of about 10 of and we drove right up the river for about 20 km and then got into double kayaks and made our way down the river to VV township. The scenery of the mountains up so close to river is just spectacular. We then stopped off for lunch and the guides made us lunch using just the basics (homemade bbq). We had vegetable skewers with fried rice wrapped in leave from the local trees (to keep it warm). We also walked across a bridge that the locals have made to get from one side
Photo 4
Kath swinging and about the jump into the river... to the river to the other. It was very unstable and rather frightening but we all did it. After lunch we then did some more kayaking down the river and then stopped and explored a cave.
So there are allot of activities to do in VV. We are leaving tomorrow morning for Luang Prabang. It will take 7 hours by bus. It is not far it is just that the roads are not great plus it is going to be a steep ascent into the mountains. All the people we have spoken to loved it so we have decided to stay 2 nights there. We have not booked accommodation and will fine something when we arrive.
Now about the title, we have forgotten to mention all the interesting food we have come across on the menu at various cafes. Does deep fried spider get your stomaching rumbling? It has been very interesting...
Anyway, will update you all when we can...
Kath, Jac and Kate
Advertisement
Tot: 0.124s; Tpl: 0.016s; cc: 11; qc: 48; dbt: 0.041s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.2mb
Ann & Tony
non-member comment
What else:" BUT appendix salad"!!!
Hi girls, its great being able to follow your trip like this, you are all having a fab time, we can see!, we are so pleased for you , we know how much you earned this.---Already hanging out for your next blog!!! Love Mum/Dad XXX